Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-11-29


to me tina, perhaps letter descriptive
of our part OF Alturas county might
be OF interest to your many readers.
Little Lost River Valley is about
Oh miles in length, with an average
width of about IA miles from noun.
tain to mountain on its either side.
The river rises from countless little
springs at the extreme head Of the
valley, and flows southeasterly and
parallel to its twin sister, Big Lost
River, toward the lava beds--on
reaching the edge of which both sink,
within four miles of each other. The
valley is better calculated for grazing
than for agricultural purposes; not,
however, on account of poor soil, for
the land is very rich in places, bu, for
lack OF water, the scarcity of which
will always limit the farming area OF
this valley to perhaps . very few more
ranches than those which are already
located.
There are about IS ranches alread;
located, mostly by men of families,
bachelors being scarce article, and
decidedly in the minority. The land
already in cultivation yields magnifi-
cent returns IN wheat, oats, barley,
potatoes, and, in fact, all the garden
products that are raised so successfully
on Wood River. Colonel J. Briggs,
one Of the pioneers of this valley, is
our most extensive grain producer.
He makes a specially of raising oats,
and is uniformly successful in produc
ing large crops. The Williams Bros,
however, bear away the palm for the
largest yield, they having threshed
1866 bushels of oats from Is acres.
Our grain and garden truck find a
market at fair prices at Nichola, from
which town VIC are distant BY wagoa
road 81 miles.
Our winters, as regards the snowfall,
are not severe-I mean in comparison
to other localities liz Idaho. The snow
seldom falls to a greater depth in this
valley than 10 or IL inches, the mos,
of which drifts off in very few days,
leaving great part Of the range bare
the entire winter.
We have mail service but once a
week, the mail being carried on horse
back from Arco to this office, thence
on further up the valley to Badger
coming in each "Wednesday and re-
turning Thursday.
A school district was recently or
ganized, and q schoolhouss has been
begun, but it is not yet completed;
because, as no money from the school
fund was appropriated to this district,
there is no great rush for its compile
ton before next spring.
Tho winter festivities we're opened
last Wednesday night by Mr.. Kyle,
who gave grand ball at his new res,
idence. Almost the entire dancing
population of the valley were present,
and were 80 charmingly and hospita,
bly, entertained that we all wished
nights FOR such occasions could be
specially created and made twice as
long as ordinary winter nj gifts.
The greatest sensation of the sea
son, however, was occasioned by the
first wedding which has ever occurred
on this river. The bride, who, BY the
way, is recent arrival from Wood
River, was Miss Annie Hunt. She
was dressed in costume of some rich
dark material, very stylishly cut, aud
manufactured for her by fashionable
milliner in Bellevue. The groom, w.
A. Dudley, was tall, stalwart, and
handsome, and little inclined to be
nervous. The bridesmaid, Miss Clara
Niece, lovely blonde, was charminely
arrayed in a pale blue silk, which,
with its fashionable makeup and lace
trimming, rendered her irresistible
Her costume was made expressly for
the occasion by q Salt Lake City 6rm.
| had the homer and pleasure Of being
the best man, AMI was dressed in my
best no description necessary. The
cere mony was performed by Judge
d. b. Hawley, last Friday night, in
Mrs. McGovern's parlor-at,er which
hIlari,y reigned aud wine and kindred
spirits flowed.
TIE citizens of this valley are dis.
satisfied with their location as regards
the county seat, Howe being distant